Concrete block machine



Aug 5, 1941. L. GELBMAN E'l AL CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1938 INVENTORfi LOUIS qezammv, susgue E 01.6611,

M GRTHvR a. M x5 A ORNEY.

4.1.FLHOHL ULUUK AND EARTHENWARF APPARATUS.

Patented Aug. 5, 1941 Search Room CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE Louis Gelbman,Yonkers, N. Y., and Eugene F.

Olsen and Arthur B. Mays, Adrian, Mich., assignors, by mesneassignments, of eleven-twentieths to Hamlin F. Andrus andnine-twentieths to Louis Gelbman, both of Yonkers, N. Y.

Application February 21, 1938, Serial No. 191,640

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in concrete blockmachines.

This application is a continuation in part of our application Serial No.161,370 filed August 28, 193"! for Concrete block machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a construction for vibratingthe mold of a concrete machine, which construction overcomes defects ofsimilar prior constructions.

Specifically, the invention refers to a vibration mechanism which ischaracterized by an offbalance shaft spaced from the mold and supportedin bearings which are capable of reciprocating. This invention proposesa novel connection between the bearings and themold for transmitting thevibration of theimbalanced shaft when the latter is driven.

Furthermore, the invention has special reference to a mold which isarranged to be reciprocal within a limited amplitude and to a vibratormechanism which is capable of vibrating the mold through a greaterdistance than this limited amplitude. The connection between thebearings previously mentioned and the mold are to be such that thevibrations are transmitted to the mold for reciprocating the mold withinthe limits within which it is permitted to move.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection between thebearing and the mold, which connection is flexible or bendable in aplane at right angles to the longitudinal length of the shaft.

Furthermore, it is proposed to so support the bearing that in additionto being free to transmit the reciprocal vibrations, it is free to turnslightly in one direction or the other in a plane at right angles to thelongitudinal length of the shaft. It is proposed to provide a simpledevice for so supporting the bearings.

It is proposed to provide links between the bearings and the mold with apivot connection interposed some place between these parts to permitbending upon an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal length of theshaft.

With a construction as defined above, according to this invention, theconnecting mechanism between the vibrator means and the mold will be ofa nature which is flexible and capable of giving (instead of being rigidand of a type which must carry its load or break). With the flexiblearrangement it is possible for the parts to bend and flex whileefliciently transmitting the reciprocal motion. Thus a very durableconstruction is provided. This construction overcomes the chief defectof breakage of parts in the transmission mechanism of the vibrationsfrom the vibration mechanism to the mold.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device asdescribed which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured andsold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a mold of a concrete block machineand a construction according to this invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional veiw taken on the line 2-4 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the studs and its anchoragemechanism which is used for holding the bearings of the device.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-6 of Fig. 5.

This invention is intended for the mold of a block making machine. Thedetails of construction of the machine itself form no part of theinvention and are not necessary for an understanding of the blockmachine nor to comprehend this invention, and hence a description of themachine will be omitted from this specification.

The numeral I0 indicates the mold of the concrete block machine intowhich the concrete material is to be disposed so that thereafter themold in may be vibrated to settle or pack the concrete mass therein andso form the block. The mold I0 is supported in a manner so as to bereciprocal. The mold is supported on several parallel bars H and isattached to a base element 2 which consists of a pair of parallel barsectiors 12a at right angles to the bars II and at their ends areintegral with bar elements 12b. The bar elements In are supported andrested freely upon four corner members I3. Each of these comer memberscomprises a vertically disposed angle body having a top wall 13a and anintermediate lower wall l3b. Through each corner member a bolt I4passes. This bolt has a nut l5 adjustably mounted on its bottom end andadapted to strike the undersurface of the wall 13b. The bolt extendsupwards through the wall |3a and through the bar section |2b, and at itstop is formed with a head l6 which rests aganist the bar section |2b.

These corner posts l3 are arranged substantiallyat the four corners ofthe mold and serve to support the mold in a manner so that it may movevertically a limited amount, depending merely on the clearance ll, thatis, the distance between the bolts l5 and the underface of the wall l3b.It should be noted that normally the mold I is supported indirectly bythe bar elements |2a resting on the corner posts I3. Because of the fourbolts l4 the mold It) can only move in the vertical direction.Furthermore, it may only move a limited distance depending on the spacesl1, since after it moves this amount the nuts |5 will strike the Wallportion |3b.

The corner members |3 are mounted upon and secured on the top of a pairof spaced channel members 20. These channel members are reinforced byauxiliary channel members 2| secured between the arms thereof. Thechannel members are mounted within a concrete foundation 22 and upon aconcrete block 23 which is mounted in the foundation and insulatedtherefrom by vibration absorbing material 24. Between the channelmembers there is a space or trough in the foundation 22 in which thevibration mechanism is set.

This vibration mechanism comprises a pair of spaced bearings 25 whichrotatively support a shaft 26. This shaft is provided with ofi-balanceweights 21 so that when the shaft is rotated it tends to fly in alldirections. A pair of flanges 28 are mounted upon the shaft 26. A flange29 is secured to one of the channel members 20 and engages between theflanges 26 to hold the shaft 26 against longitudinal motion. The flanges28 and 29 permit vertical motion of the shaft 26, as well as turning.The bearings 25 are thrust bearings so that there is no tendency forthem to slip along the shaft 26. Each bearing 25 is held in a manner sothat it may move vertically and also so that it may pivot slightly aboutthe shaft 26 as an axis if such tendency develops. More specifically,each bearing 25 rests upon a rubber or other resilient pad 36 which inturn rests on the foundation block 23.

A pair of studs 3| are supported on the opposite sides of the bearing 25in a horizontal plane through the center of the shaft 26 and these studsengage the sides of the bearings 25 so as to limit the bearings frommoving sidewise. These studs 3| permit the bearings to move verticallyand also permit the hearings to twist or tur about the shaft 26 as anaxis.

Each stud 3| is supported in a block 32. It is adjustable in this blockby reason of being threadedly engaged therein and held in desiredpositions by a nut 33. The blocks 32 are set into recesses of largerblocks 34 which are secured to the auxiliary channel members 2 I.Resilient material 35 is disposed in between the blocks 32 and 34 andinsulate them from transmitting vibrations. The studs 3| pass throughlarge openings 36 in the channel members 20 and so reach and touch thebearings 25.

A pair of relatively flexible and strong leaf links 31 are attached attheir lower ends to the opposite sides of each bearing 25 and extendupwards and at their top ends are attached to a block 38. The block 38is disposed between a pair of spaced lugs 39 mounted upon the bar |2b ofthe base element l2. These lugs 39 are arranged at the opposite sides ofthe base element l2 and upon the center line of the mold, that is,directly between the bolts H. The arrangement is such that each of thebearings 25 is indirectly connected to the mold |0 along the center lineof the mold and at the sides of the mold.

The shaft 26 is connected with a flexible coupling 40, which in turnconnects with an electric motor 4| mounted upon the foundation 22.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the shaft 26 is driven by the motor 4| it-will rotate in thebearings 25 and because of the unbalanced weights 21 it will tend to flyin all directions due to centrifugal force. Since the bearings 25 arelimited to move vertically only the shaft 26 will be correspondinglyrestrained. Furthermore, since the bearings 25 are connected by thelinks 31 with the base element l2, and the base element in turn islimited to move a limited amount in the vertical direction by the boltsl4 the bearings 25 will be correspondingly restrained. The net result ofthe turning of the shaft 26 will be that the mold I!) will w vibratedvertically.

The vibrations will be transmitted by the links 31 and these links 31are so secured and held as to be relatively flexible. Should a torquestress develop in the bearings 25 it is possible for the bearings toswing in one direction or the other a limited amount about the studs 3|as trunnion elements, and the shaft 26 as an axis. Furthermore, the moldI0 may swing a limited amount about the pivot points 42 of the blocks 38and the lugs 39. With this construction it is practically impossible forany stresses to develop in the mechanism which transmits the vibrations,which stresses must either be absorbed or break some of the parts. It ispossible for such developed stresses to be dissipated by the flexibleconnections within the transmission of the vibration mechanism.

While we have illustrated and described our invention with some degreeof particularity, we realize that in practice various alterationstherein may be made. We therefore reserve the right and privilege ofchanging the form of the details of construction or otherwise alteringthe arrangement of the correlated parts without departing from thespirit or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a vibration mechanism, a sup or e ber reciprocally supported, abearing reciprocally supported to reciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an fi-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with its axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, and alink mounted on said bearing and connected with said support member.

2. In a vibration mechanism, a support member reciprocally supported, abearing reciprocally supported to reciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an off-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with its axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, alink mounted on said bearing and connected with said support member, angrneans for limiting theamplitude of reciprocation-of sap supiiortmeiiiber.

3. IrTa'vibra'tion mechanism, a support member reciprocally upported, abearing reciprocal- 1y supported to eciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an off-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with itsaxisalfiight angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, alink mounted on said bearing and connected with said support mem ber,and resilient means connected with sides of said bearing in relation tothe direction of reciprocation for absorbing lateral vibrations.

4. In a vibration mechanism, a support member reciprocally supported, abearing reciprocally supported to reciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an off-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with its axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, alink mounted on said bearing and connected with said support member, andresilient means connected with sides of said bearing in relation to thedirection of reciprocation for absorbing lateral vibrations, saidresilient means comprising resilient pads.

5. In a vibration mechanism, a support member reciprocally supported, abearing reciprocally supported to reciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an off-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with its axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, saidbearing being capable of oscillating upon said shaft, and a link mountedon said bearing and connected with said support member.

6. In a vibration mechanism, a support member reciprocally supported, anoff-balanced shaft spaced from said support member and disposed with itsaxis at right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support,a bearing movably supported to reciprocate in the same direction as saidsupport member said bearing being capable of oscillating upon saidshaft, and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connected withsaid support member.

7. In a vibration mechanism a support member reciprocally supported, anoff-balanced shaft spaced from said support member and disposed with itsaxis at right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support,a bearing movably supported to reciprocate in the same direction as saidsupport member said bearing being capable of oscillating upon saidshaft, and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connected withsaid support member to turn on an axis parallel with said shaft.

8. In a vibration mechanism a support member, means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an off-balanced shaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said bearing sothat said bearing may reciprocate in the same direction with saidreciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate on saidshaft and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connected withsaid support member to turn on an axis parallel with said shaft.

9. In a vibration mechanism, a support member means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an off-balanced shaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said bearing sothat said bearing may reciprocate Search Room in the same direction withsaid reciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate onsaid shaft and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connectedwith said support member to turn on an axis parallel with said shaft,said means for supporting said bearing includes a pair of fixedlymounted studs engaging opposite sides of said bearing in a plane throughthe axis of said shaft and at right angles to the direction ofreciprocation of said support member.

10. In a vibration mechanisma support member, means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an off-balanced shaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said bearing sothat said bearing may reciprocate in the same direction with saidreciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate on saidshaft and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connected withsaid support member to turn on an axis parallel with said shaft, saidmeans for supporting said bearing includes a pair of fixedly mountedstuds engaging opposite sides of said bearing in a plane through theaxis of said shaft and at right angles to the direction of reciprocationof said support member, and each of said studs being mounted on aresiliently supported element.

g ll. In a vibration mechanism, a w- ,ber, means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an ofiiagncedshaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said bearing sothat said bearing may reciprocate in the same direction with saidreciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate on saidshaft and a link mounted on said bearing and pivotally connected withsaid support member to turn on an axis parallel with said shaft, saidmeans for supporting said bearing includes a nair o.f fix-edly mountedstuds engaging opposite sides of said bearing in a plane through theaxis of said shaft and at right angles to the direction of reciprocationof said support member, and each of said studs being adjustably mountedon a resiliently supported element so as to make it possible to obtain adesired tolerance with relation to the sides of said bearing.

12. In a vibration mechanism, a support member reciprocally supported, abearing reciprocally supported to reciprocate in the same direction assaid support member, an off-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearing and spaced from said support member and disposed with its axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation of said support, and apair of links mounted on opposite sides of said bearing and connectedwith said support member.

13. In a vibration mechanism, a support member, means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an off-balanced shaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said bearing sothat said hearing may reciprocate in the same direction with saidreciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate on saidshaft, and a pair of links mounted on opposite sides of said bearing andpivotally connected with said support member to jurn on an axis parallelwith said shaft.

Mfih a vibration mechanism, a support member, means for reciprocallysupporting said support member, an off-balanced shaft spaced from saidsupport member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support member, a bearing rotativelysupporting said shaft, means for flexibly supporting said hearing sothat said bearing may reciprocate in the same direction with saidreciprocal support member and so that said bearing may oscillate on saidshaft, and a pair of links mounted on opposite sides of said bearing andpivotally connected with said support member to turn on an axis parallelwith said shaft, the pivotal mounting of said pair of links upon saidsupport member comprising a block mounted between said pair of links,lugs mounted on said support member, and a pintle pivotally connectingsaid lugs and said blocks.

15. A vibration mechanism, comprising a support member reciprocallysupported, a pair of spaced bearings reciprocally supported toreciprocate in the same direction as said support member, anoff-balanced shaft rotatively mounted in said bearing and spaced fromsaid support member and disposed with its axis at right angles to thedirection of reciprocation of said support, and links mounted on saidbearings and connected with said support member.

. LOUIS GELBMAN.

EUGENE F. OLSEN. ARTHUR B. MAYS.

